Hollycombe Steam Collection in Liphook is holding a traditional fairground and mechanical organ gathering rally, July 24-25.

The weekend puts the emphasis on the traditional steam driven fairground side of the collection with several of the rides in it the only ones left in existence and that are still operated to give rides to the public including the sole surviving circa 1908 Razzle Dazzle, the late 1870s Mr. Fields Steam Circus Dobby ride which is believed to be the oldest surviving mechanically driven ride in existence, the steam swings and chair-o-planes, and the 1911 single steam yacht 'Neptune' and the popular Golden Gallopers.

Joining the collections, resident traditional fairground attractions for the weekend will be a rare 1948 Fly-O-Planes, manufactured by the Eyerly Aircraft Co. in the USA.

The ride was originally designed to train pilots and came over to the UK in 1951 for the Festival of Britain in Battersea. It is believed to be one of only two surviving examples and the only one in the UK.

Making a first time appearance at Hollycombe for the event from Colchester will be John Morley with his traditional Old Time Vintage Arcade – an array spanning 100 years and includes slot machines, fruit and novelty machines, Fortune Teller and What The Butler Saw.

He is also bringing his 1950s Winnards train ride which is a popular attraction for children and adults alike with its authentic classic 'clickety clack' as the train goes around the track.

There's even more for the children – a superb traditional juvenile dobby roundabout presented by Albert Reynolds of Middlesex, as well as Solly Harris's juvenile ark roundabout from Ashington West Sussex. There will be supporting fairground side shows as well as a display of fairground models, vintage fairground transport and showman's living wagons.

For the Mechanical Organ Gathering that complements the event, there will be a wide range of organs, from late-1800s organettes, hand-turned street organs, to various sizes of fairground, dance, and street organs.
Hollycombe will be providing its usual steam railways, traction engine-hauled rides and more.

Daytime openings over the weekend are from 11am to 5pm. Train rides are from noon, the fair from 1pm, with all rides included in the admission charge.

A special Fairground Evening opening will be held on the Saturday from 6pm to 10pm.See www.hollycombe.co.uk for further information.